Door assembly for washing machine

ABSTRACT

A door assembly for a washing machine is provided. The door assembly is rotatably attached to a case of the washing machine so as to cover/uncover an opening for loading/unloading the laundry. A frame of the door assembly includes an outer frame and an inner frame connected to the outer frame. A window is provided at a center of the frame. The handle is engaged and secured with at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame without using a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Application No. P2004-39568 filed on Jun. 01, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a door assembly used for covering/uncovering an opening so as to load/unload the laundry in a washing machine.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A washing machine is a typical home appliance which washes the laundry by using a detergent and water. The washing machine is classified into a top loading-type washing machine and a front loading-type washing machine according to loading positions of the laundry.

In general, the top loading-type washing machine is constructed to include a vertical tub for receiving the laundry, a pulsater for washing the laundry during its rotation in the tub, and a lid provided at an upper surface of the washing machine so as to cover/uncover the tub.

Also, the front loading-type washing machine is constructed to include a horizontal drum for receiving the laundry, a plurality of lifters provided at an inner surface of the drum so as to repeatedly lift and then drop the laundry during the rotation of the drum, and a door provided at a front surface of the washing machine so as to cover/uncover the drum.

Generally, in the front loading-type washing machine, the door is equipped with a handle, and the handle is fixed to the door with a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt. However, such a handle-fixing structure undesirably requires a lot of time so as to fix the handle to the door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a door assembly for a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved door assembly capable of making it possible to rapidly and easily fix a handle to a door in a washing machine.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a door assembly for a washing machine includes: an outer frame; an inner frame connected to the outer frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged and secured with the outer frame and the inner frame.

In another aspect of the present invention, a door assembly for a washing machine includes: a frame including an outer frame and an inner frame connected to the outer frame; a window provided in the frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged and secured with at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame.

The handle may be configured to be fitted between the outer frame and the inner frame without a bolt. Also, the handle may be provided so that a user is able to grip the handle by approaching the handle at an inner periphery side of the outer frame. Here, the handle may include a recess into which a user's hand is inserted.

The window may include a rim inserted and fixed between the outer frame and the inner frame and pressing and fixing the handle. The door assembly may further include a cut away portion provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame so as to receive the handle.

The door assembly may further includes: at least one hole provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and fixing the handle by being inserted and secured into the hole.

The door assembly may further include: a ledge protruded from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and receiving the ledge. In the meantime, the door assembly may further include: a supporter provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame to then support the ledge and prevent movement of the handle.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure in which a handle is engaged with an outer frame in the door assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a handle is completely engaged with an outer frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a case 10 of a washing machine includes a base plate (not shown), a side wall 11, a top cover 12 and a front cover 13. The base plate forms a bottom surface of the case 10, and the side wall 11 is vertically erected at the both sides and rear side of the base plate. The top cover 12 covers an upper opening of the side wall 11, and the front cover 13 covers a front opening of the side wall 11. A control panel 20 enabling a user to handling the washing machine is installed between an upper part of the front cover 13 and the top cover 12.

A horizontal tub (not shown; hereinafter simply referred to as “tub”) is installed in the case 10, and a rotatable horizontal drum (hereinafter simply referred to as “drum”) is installed in the tub. The drum is rotated in the tub by a motor attached at a rear surface of the tub. The drum includes a first opening for loading/unloading the laundry, and the front cover 13 has a second opening formed therein and corresponding to the first opening. Also, a door assembly 100 for covering/uncovering the first and second openings is hinged to the front cover 13. FIGS. 2 through 4 illustrate a detailed structure of the door assembly 100. Hereinafter, a construction and operation of the door assembly 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the door assembly 100 includes an outer frame 110 and an inner frame 120. The outer frame 110 forms an exposed front surface of the door assembly 100, and the inner frame 120 forms a rear surface of the door assembly 100, which faces inside the drum.

A window 105 enabling a user to view an inside of the drum is installed at a center of the frame 101 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the window 105 includes openings 115 and 125 formed respectively in the outer frame 110 and the inner frame 120, and a window glass 130 provided in the openings 115 and 125. For example, the window glass 130 is configured in such a way that its center part is protruded into the drum. Also, the window glass 130 includes a rim 131 fixed between the outer and inner frames 110 and 120.

A handle 200 which a user can grip is installed at the door assembly 100. As stated above, in the conventional washing machine, a handle is indirectly fixed to a door with a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt. On the contrary, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the handle 200 is engaged with the outer and inner frames 110 and 120 to thereby be directly secured with frame 101. In other words, the handle 200 is directly engaged and fitted to the frame 101 without using a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt. Hereinafter, such a fixing structure for fixing the handle 200 to the frame 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structure in which the handle 200 is engaged with the outer frame 101 in the door assembly 100 shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 illustrates a state where the handle 200 is completely engaged with the outer frame 101.

Referring to FIG. 3, the handle 200 includes a recess 225 into which a user's hand is inserted. The handle 200 is inserted into and installed on an inner periphery of the frame 101 having the window 105. Accordingly, the handle 200 is not exposed outside when viewed at a front side of the washing machine, and the user can grip the handle 200 by inserting his hand into an inner periphery of the outer frame 110.

Outer rims 116 and 121 forming an outer periphery of the frame 101 are provided respectively on outer peripheries of the outer and inner frames 110 and 120, and inner rims 112 and 122 forming an inner periphery of the frame 101 are provided respectively on inner peripheries of the outer and inner frames 110 and 120. Also, a space 117 is formed between the outer rims 116 and 121 and the inner rims 112 and 122, and the handle 200 is installed in the space 117.

Since the handle 200 is inserted into the inner periphery of the frame 101 as stated above, a cut away portion 114 for receiving the handle 200 is provided in at least one of the inner rims 112 and 122. For reference, FIG. 3 illustrates an example where the cut away portion 114 is provided in the inner rim 112 of the outer frame 110.

As above, the handle 200 provided between the outer frame 110 and the inner frame 120 is fixed by being pressed by the outer frame 110 and the inner frame 120 when the outer frame 110 and the inner frame 120 is combined with each other. In addition, a rim 131 of the window glass 130 presses the handle 200 against the outer frame 110, whereby the handle 200 is securely fixed.

In order to securely fix the handle 200, at least one boss 111 is provided in the outer frame 110, and at least one hole 211 for receiving the boss 111 is provided in the handle 200 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In more detail, a pair of bosses 111 are protruded from the outer frame 110 toward the inner frame 120. Also, a flange 210 is provided at one end of the handle 200, and a pair of holes into which a pair of the bosses 111 are inserted are provided at the flange 210. In this structure, the handle 200 can be securely fixed into the space 117.

Further, a ledge 221 is extended from an outer surface of the handle 200 as shown in FIG. 3, and a slot 113 into which the ledge 221 is inserted or a supporter for supporting the ledge 221 is provided at the outer frame 110. Here, the slot 113 is provided at the inner rim 116. For reference, FIG. 3 illustrates an example where the width of the slot 113 is larger than the thickness of the ledge 221. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. That is, the width of the slot 113 may be substantially identical to the thickness of the ledge 221 so that the slot 113 can tightly receive the ledge 221.

In case where the width of the slot 113 is larger than the thickness of the ledge 221 as shown in FIG. 3, the inner rim 116 can serve as a supporter for supporting the ledge 221. In more detail, one end of the handle 200 is secured by the boss 11 and the hole 211, and the other end 222 (that is, an inlet end) of the handle 200 is secured by the tight contact of the ledge 221 with the inner rim 116. Also, the other end 222 of the handle 200 is fitly inserted into the cut away portion 114 of the inner rim 116 as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the handle 200 is fixedly secured between the outer and inner frames 110 and 120.

The above-constructed door assembly 100 is assembled in such a way that the handle 200 is engaged with the outer frame 110 as shown in FIG. 4 and then the window glass 130 and the inner frame 120 are sequentially connected to the outer frame 110 as shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the rim 131 of the window glass 130 presses the handle 200 toward the outer frame 110, whereby the handle 200 is securely fixed.

According to the present invention, a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt for fixing the handle to the door frame is not required, as stated above. Accordingly, the door assembly can be easily and conveniently assembled, and the assembling time can be reduced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A door assembly for a washing machine, comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame connected to the outer frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged and secured with the outer frame and the inner frame.
 2. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to be fitted between the outer frame and the inner frame without a screw or a bolt.
 3. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a window provided in the outer frame and the inner frame.
 4. The door assembly of claim 3, wherein the window comprises a rim inserted and fixed between the outer frame and the inner frame and pressing and fixing the handle.
 5. The door assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle is provided so that a user is able to grip the handle by approaching the handle at an inner periphery side of the outer frame.
 6. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a recess into which a user's hand is inserted.
 7. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cut away portion provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame so as to receive the handle.
 8. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one hole provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and fixing the handle by being inserted and fixed into the hole.
 9. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a ledge protruded from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and receiving the ledge.
 10. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one hole provided in the handle; at least one boss protruded from at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and inserted and fixed into the hole; a ledge protruded from an outer surface of the handle; and a supporter provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame to then support the ledge and prevent movement of the handle.
 11. A door assembly for a washing machine, comprising: a frame including an outer frame and an inner frame connected to the outer frame; a window provided in the frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged and secured with at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame.
 12. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle is secured by the outer frame and the inner frame without a screw.
 13. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle is inserted into an inner periphery of the frame provided with the window.
 14. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle includes a recess into which a user's hand is inserted.
 15. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: at least one hole provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and inserted into the hole.
 16. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises a flange extended from one side of the handle and having a hole formed therein
 17. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge extended from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and receiving the ledge.
 18. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge extended from an outer surface of the handle; and a supporter provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame to then support the ledge and prevent movement of the handle.
 19. The door assembly of claim 18, wherein the supporter is an inner rim extended from an inner periphery of the outer frame or the inner frame to thereby form an inner periphery of the frame
 20. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising a cut away portion provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame so as to receive the handle.
 21. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge extended from an outer surface of the handle; an inner rim extended from an inner periphery of the outer frame or the inner frame to thereby form an inner periphery of the frame and supporting the ledge; and a cut away portion provided in the inner rim so as to receive the handle.
 22. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the window comprises a rim inserted and fixed between the outer frame and the inner frame and pressing and fixing-the handle. 